We learned the game Ten Thousand from Barry’s cousin, Jeff, introduced it to my family and have been playing regularly since then. We call it HUNDO. Barry and I have been playing multiple games of Hundo each night of this trip, keeping track as we go along. He’s the Hundo Mav and I’m HJBQ.

I’M REALLY GOOD.

Barry has hit a bad streak. I feel safe writing this now that we’re practically parked in our own backyard now that we’re in Oregon. As I type this Barry is practicing his HUNDO rolls next to our snoozing dog. I kid you not. He also has the sacred score sheet spread out ready for new markings.

Let it be known that next time I write a blog post….it might be from a true HUNDO CHAMP!!!!

I have a hard time sleeping in the city. Hearing cars zooming by, people yelling and other noises makes it very difficult for me to sleep. Although I most often read myself to sleep, there are times when my book is horrible or I have finished it. This means that I am left to my own thoughts to lull myself to sleep.

Instead of thinking about raindrops, roses, and whiskers on kittens, I think about things I need to do the next day, things I could of done better that day or even things I could be doing other than sleeping.  I become very restless.

Barry, on the other hand, can be sawing logs before his head even hits the pillow. This brings me to Dolly Parton. Dolly and her hair. I’ve had this trick up my sleeve for a few years now. When I start thinking about Dolly’s hair and wondering what she really looks like without her wig on……I FALL ASLEEP!!

Have you ever thought about it? Dolly’s hair, that is.

I love Dolly. LOVE her. She’s smart, funny, and very talented, but her hair is really something that I find merits some thought when I’m having trouble sleeping.

SO, the other night I was having a difficult time falling asleep in downtown San Francisco. There was so much going on outside our window (car wrecks, yelling, laughing…) It wasn’t until I remembered my Dolly Parton Wig Trick that I fell asleep.

Works every time.

The sun is finally a constant companion on our trip. Phew. I was worried. I’ve been spending the past few weeks wearing the clothing that I packed at the last minute because I thought I might get cold maybe once or twice. HA.

Apparently Mother Nature does have a sense of humor. Each time I’ve called home I’ve heard that the weather has been sweltering. At one point I caught up with my parents and my mom was hanging out on the beach while my dad was snorkeling.

Snorkeling!  In Washington.

Me? I was in California sitting by my campfire wearing at least 4 layers and sipping on hot chocolate. So, this is why I’m glad that the sun has finally come to play. I’m able to wear my tank tops, skirts, dresses that I so diligently packed.

Hallelujah!

Now, I just need to find out if people can snorkel in San Francisco. If my dad can do it in Washington then certainly it’s an option in sunny California, right?

Wish you were here!

Love, 

SYDNEY

One of the beaches we walked along yesterday was incredibly beautiful. It didn’t have any washed up water bottles or garbage. The sand was nice and  forgiving to walk on and warm to the touch. We discovered beach glass on our return trip and  ended up walking very slowly with our heads down, trying to find the most beautiful piece to add to our collection.

We stopped for whip cream covered milkshakes, and then quickly for gas. After I hopped back in the car this is what I found

Here’s the thing about trying to act upscale when you really aren’t. The truth always comes out in the wash. For example:

If you want to move the coffee table in your room it probably shouldn’t do this:

We are no longer camping, but staying in a swank boutique hotel in Mendocino, CA. We crossed the Mendocino county line blasting the Willie Nelson & Leann Womack song “Mendocino County Line.” Fitting, huh?

Nearly each night when we were camping our little dog would hover near us shivering looking really wimpy. She’d refuse to go into the tent unless she could see us, which wasn’t always an option. Instead of playing nursemaid to her, we discovered a simple swaddle with a beach towel and strategically placing her in the car resulted in some loud snores.

Now that there isn’t a tent in sight or even a dirt floor, Sydney is happy as a little clam. She has been bouncing on the bed, wagging her tail trying to entice us to play a game with her.  It’ going to be difficult to explain to her that this whole hotel thing is a short-lived deviation from our road trip plans.

I have had limited driving time on our road trips since I tried to jump our car house in Australia. That means I have hours and hours logged as the navigator.

This also means that I have many,many self-portraits of me in tiny mirrors.

They are usually pretty much the same. Until I get bored. I know it is time to put the camera away when…….

pictures like this start appearing.